Weekend in Virginia: Highlights by Region
🏛️ DMV / DC-Area
🎄 Downtown Holiday Market – Penn Quarter, Washington, DC – Nov 20–Dec 24, 2025 • 12–8 PM daily • 8th & F St NW – Wander rows of local makers, global gifts, and hot drinks in this open-air holiday village filled with twinkling lights and live music. 🎁✨
🌌 DC Holiday Lights – Neighborhoods across DC – Nov 22, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 • Evenings – Explore decorated corridors as small businesses light up blocks with themed displays and dazzling window art. 🚶♀️✨
💡 Georgetown GLOW – Georgetown, DC – Dec 6, 2025–Jan 5, 2026 • Evenings – Outdoor light installations transform the historic streets and waterfront into a glowing nighttime gallery walk. 🎨🌙
🏮 Winter Lantern Festival – Tysons – Lerner Town Square, Tysons, VA – Nov 21, 2025–Jan 11, 2026 • Evenings – Massive illuminated sculptures and glowing tunnels create a vivid lantern-inspired adventure for all ages. 🏮✨
🎆 Winter City Lights – Olney, MD – Nov 22–Dec 31, 2025 • Evenings – Millions of synchronized lights, bonfires, and a glittering forest trail make this a full-scale holiday light park just outside the Beltway. 🌲❄️
🎨 Richmond / 🚂 Fredericksburg
⛸️ Riverfront Park Ice Skating Rink – Fredericksburg – Fredericksburg, VA – Nov 28–Dec 28, 2025 • 701 Sophia St – Skate under holiday lights along the river, with hot cocoa and downtown restaurants steps away. ⛸️❄️
🌲 GardenFest of Lights – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Richmond, VA – Nov 28, 2025–Jan 5, 2026 • 4–10 PM – Millions of lights, themed displays, and cozy fire pits create Richmond’s most iconic seasonal tradition. 🔥🌟
🚗 Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village – Doswell, VA – Nov 21, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 • Evenings – Cruise through synchronized light tunnels and animated displays, then enjoy treats and rides at Santa’s Village. 🚙🎶
🩰 Richmond Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” – Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, VA – Dec 13–28, 2025 – Snowflakes, sugarplums, and a lush orchestra bring Clara’s dreamworld to life in this beloved RVA tradition. 🩰🎄
🌊 Hampton Roads
🚙 Holiday Lights at the Beach – Virginia Beach Boardwalk – Nov 14, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 • Evenings – Drive right on the boardwalk through nautical-themed tunnels and glowing animated scenes set to holiday music. 🌊✨
🎄 Garden of Lights – Norfolk Botanical Garden – Norfolk, VA – Late Nov–Dec 31, 2025 – A mile-plus of glowing landscapes, sparkling trails, and botanical light artistry. Walk or drive depending on your mood. 🌿💡
🚢 WinterFest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus – Battleship Wisconsin, Norfolk – Nov 21, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 – Holiday-themed trails, waterfront lights, and the “Mistletoe Marina” turn this historic battleship into a coastal winter wonderland. ⚓🎆
🩰 Ballet Virginia presents The Nutcracker – Sandler Center, Virginia Beach – Dec 19–21, 2025 – A full-scale production with live orchestra, dancing sugar plums, and holiday magic on stage.
🎸 Beach Floyd: A Merry Pink Floyd Christmas – Elevation 27, Virginia Beach – Dec 19, 2025 at 8 PM – Rock-meets-holiday-themed live show: Pink Floyd songs synced to iconic holiday film scenes.
🏔️ Shenandoah Valley
🎄 30th Annual Christmas Tree Display & Light Show – Southwest Virginia Museum – Big Stone Gap, VA – Nov 10–Dec 31, 2025 – Historic halls filled with dozens of uniquely decorated trees make this the region’s small-town centerpiece of the season. 🎄🏛️
🚂 Vintage Christmas Wonderland – Creative Works Farm – Waynesboro, VA – Select nights late Nov–Dec – Light shows, wagon rides, a giant gingerbread house, and the Grinch’s Funhouse create a hands-on holiday playground (check dates for this weekend). 🚜🎁
💫 Christmas in the Valley Drive-Thru Lights – Shenandoah County Fairgrounds – Woodstock, VA – Weekends through Dec 28, 2025 – A glowing drive-through loop full of festive scenes, perfect for families who want the magic without leaving the car. 🚙✨
December 19–21 is one of those weekends where the holiday energy hits full blast 🎄⚡. In DC you’ve got markets, lanterns, and neighborhoods lit up like festival grounds 🌌🌃; in Richmond and Fredericksburg you’re dancing through light gardens and skating under the stars ⛸️🌲; along the coast, Virginia Beach and Norfolk turn into spectacle zones of concerts, Nutcracker performances, boardwalk light drives and battleship illuminations 🌊🚢; and the Shenandoah Valley wraps it all up with small-town charm — drive-thru lights, decorated historic halls, family-friendly farm fun and cozy community events 🏔️🎁. Whatever your vibe — date night, family outing, or solo festive wander — this weekend has you covered.
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